Student strives to feed 100 children

Johnathan Lozier, an East Central University senior from Seminole, will be traveling to Nairobi, Kenya with Feed the Children during spring break in March 2009.

Lozier’s goal is to adopt 100 children through the program. In order to meet this mark, Lozier has asked for nine volunteers to accompany or support this humanitarian mission.

“On my way back to Oklahoma City from New York City, I met the director of International Affairs, Rachel Zelon, with Feed the Children, and we started talking. When we got off the plane, I asked, ‘If I were to donate, how would I know where my money’s going?’ And she said, ‘Well, you can come to Africa and feed the children yourself,’” Lozier said.

Lozier said he didn’t know what to do right away. But after thinking about it, he decided he wanted to go to Africa. However, he wasn’t content with just feeding one child.

“It just wasn’t satisfactory to me. And so I thought this idea up. If I were to go, I’d invite nine other people to go, [with] each person required to adopt 10 children,” Lozier said.

Currently, Lozier has five volunteers joining him on his trip to Nairobi, including Sassy Swearingen, Seminole citizen. The group has adopted 67 children so far.

“I think as of right now, from what I’ve seen, I will exceed my expectations of 100,” Lozier said.

Lozier said going to Nairobi isn’t the only way students can help.

After Lozier spoke to his class, Hannah Medrano, Ada junior, approached him with $100 to donate.

“That’s (enough for) two children. And she said ‘I can’t go, but here’s $100.’ And I want to make sure I quote her on that because it was such a great thing. She stepped up to the plate right away,’” Lozier said.

According to Lozier, 25 cents a day feeds a child two times a day, while $50 will feed the child for 195 days, with the remaining days being picked up by other organizations.

If Lozier’s group raises enough funds, they could adopt an entire school.

“We all are human beings, and it is our responsibility to take care of the fellow person, whether it be our next door neighbor or across the ocean. I realize that children here have problems, but those children over there have no idea of hope. They’re happy to make it through the day,” Lozier said.

According to “An End to World Hunger: Hope for the Future” on Thinkquest.org, the World Health Organization estimates one-third of the world is under-fed and one-third is starving. Additionally, estimates show that some 800 million people in the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition.

“I can’t solve those problems. I know that. But if I can change one child’s life out of those 100 children and give him a promising, hopeful future, then I consider myself a success in that particular area,” Lozier said.

Through this opportunity, Lozier also wants to help with vaccinations, sanitation and other health problems including childbirth.

“Whenever a woman becomes pregnant over there, she tells her entire village good-bye, because she has more of a chance of dying through that pregnancy than she does living,” Lozier said.

To donate, volunteer or just ask questions about the trip, persons should contact Lozier at johbloz@email.ecok.edu.

Images

Videos

Commented

Auto Racing News

First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.